The Bulls could be juggling a lot of moving parts when they take on the 76ers on Sunday afternoon, but the headline is clear: Nic Claxton looks set to make his Chicago debut.
Claxton’s return from a hamstring injury would give the Bulls something they’ve been missing early on - a real defensive anchor in the paint. Chicago has had trouble protecting the rim to start the season, and a lot of the team’s defensive planning in training camp was built around what Claxton can do on that end. He’s expected to come with a strict minutes restriction, but even a limited version of him changes the look of the front line.
Jalen Smith should also be available despite continuing to deal with a finger injury. He was forced out of the team’s last game after injuring the same hand in a hard fall, but the expectation is that he’ll push through again.
Smith has been one of Chicago’s steadiest performers so far, and even if Claxton takes over as a starter, Smith still figures to be a major part of the rotation. Tiago Splitter even said a double-big setup with Claxton and Smith could be on the table.
Chicago’s frontcourt, though, is not fully intact. Zach Collins has been ruled out because of an illness, and Tobe Awaka is questionable with an MCL sprain.
Awaka did play in the Windy City Bulls’ season opener on Friday, but he sat out Saturday night’s game. If both he and Collins are unavailable, the Bulls could be thin up front and Splitter may have to go small at times.
The bigger concern might be on the perimeter. Norman Powell was added to the injury report with a sore right shoulder, and his status could matter as much as anyone’s.
He hasn’t been off to a scorching start, but he remains one of Chicago’s most reliable scorers. Powell can still swing a game with a burst from deep or a trip to the line, and without him the pressure on the younger players only grows.
That would seem to open the door for Dailyn Swain, but he’s out as well with right disc irritation. The rookie played in the G League opener this weekend and put up 16 points, 9 assists and 8 rebounds, but Splitter has kept the No. 15 pick out of the NBA rotation for now.
Here’s how the injury report stands:
Jalen Smith - PROBABLE (finger)
Nic Claxton - QUESTIONABLE (hamstring)
Norman Powell - QUESTIONABLE (shoulder)
Tobe Awaka - QUESTIONABLE (MCL)
Dailyn Swain - OUT (disc)
Zach Collins - OUT (illness)
In Other News...
LeBron James Is Suddenly At Center Of A Bizarre Police Incident
LeBron James found himself at the center of a strange off-court episode this week after a man was arrested on suspicion of stalking him in Los Angeles. According to the report, the suspect allegedly entered property connected to James and claimed to be his son, prompting police to file a stalking report.
The man did not enter James residence, but the incident was serious enough to draw law enforcement attention and leave plenty of questions unanswered. His identity and other details have not been released, adding another layer of unease to a bizarre situation involving one of the NBAs most recognizable stars. [Read more 🡒]
Joel Embiid Injury Report Update Still Matters For The Sixers
Joel Embiid remains on the injury report, but the latest update is still encouraging for the 76ers as they prepare to face the Bulls. Listed as probable because of the right foot plantar fascia issue that lingered from last season, Embiid has already missed two games this year, a reminder that Philadelphia is still walking a careful line with its centerpiece.
Even with the caution, Embiid has continued to be central to what the Sixers are trying to do, averaging 17.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists in eight games played. His availability has become its own storyline for Philadelphia, because every update carries weight for a team that needs him on the floor and wants to keep him there. [Read more 🡒]
76ers Camp Invitees Left With A Message They Wont Forget
Training camp can be a brief stop for players on Exhibit 10 deals, but for Saint Thomas and several others, the time with the 76ers left a mark beyond the usual roster churn. Thomas looked back on his interactions with LeBron James, while Jameer Nelson Jr., Duke Miles and Dillon Jones, who were also in camp on Exhibit 10 contracts, have since landed with the Blue Coats and reflected on what the Philadelphia experience meant to them.
For players fighting to stay in the pro pipeline, those few weeks can matter as much as any box score. The Blue Coats trio spoke about their time around the 76ers and the transition that followed, and the quotes in the piece make clear how quickly a camp invite can turn into a lesson they carry with them into the next stop. [Read more 🡒]